Success - Pie!

So last Sunday I got out my new-to-me food processor ($5) and began making the lemon meringue pie my Mother had a craving for.  It just happens to be my favorite kind of pie too so I was ok with making it.  Yes, it is much easier to make crust in a food processor.  I used this recipe from allrecipes.com.  In the photo above the butter and shortening had been added.  There is simply no way to break up cold butter and shortening with a knife/fork like you can in a processor, that is why it is so much easier.  You also add water one drop at a time as less is best.  If you follow the directions exactly you will have tasty no-fail pie crust that is flaky.

Unfortunately there was not enough meringue - next time I am doubling the meringue portion of the pie to 4 egg whites - but it tasted great and in the end that is what was important.

 Easter supper was hubby's ribs, my potato salad and corn on the cob.  We made enough for 2 meals for all 3 of us so we could have proper leftovers on Monday.

Mom and I did well thrifting on Saturday, nothing for resaling but I found these as new sketchers in my size!  They usually cost between $50-80.  I bought them for $5!  As Jane over at Life Begins At Retirement got me onto these Sketcher Go Walks last year I have come to love how comfortable they are for walking 11000 steps a day.  I own two other pair purchased brand new (one just last month), never thought I would find a pair used in excellent condition.  They've been through the washing machine and air dried and you would never know someone else had used them.  It is possible someone bought them and doesn't walk like me and they were relegated to the back of the closet.

 I also found something that I have been wanting for a long time.  A cheese grater, specifically for parmesan cheese.  Yes, you can use a regular grater but I end up grating part of my fingers along with the cheese.  This is what restaurants use when they add extra cheese to your salad or pasta.  They go for about $20 but I refuse to pay that much for something I rarely use.  I ended up paying $1.50 - yes!

After a more than normal amount of sunshine in March we are having a rainy start to March.  Buddy hates rain so is lazing about and sticking in front of the fireplace when we have it on.  If it is sunny he asks to go outside to do his business about 8 times a day, in the rain and wind twice maximum.  Funny dog.

The March grocery budget was $586.94 Canadian funds ($575 plus some leftover from February).  I ended up at $568.25!  Just to give you an idea on how this is spent:  $322.78 on food, $28.45 on non food(cleaning supplies, toilet paper), $201.46 on over the counter medications and vitamins, and $15.59 in tax.

This was an especially high month for OTCs.  We self insure for medical costs as I have done the math and most of the plans out there for two people would cost more than pay as we go.  We do not wish to be on medication long term unless absolutely necessary.  Hubby has a couple of medical issues and so do I but nothing that will kill us, diseases that we will live with forever.  Most of them can be treated with OTCs except his asthma and a skin ailment.    We have a Costco membership particularly for the purpose of keeping our OTC costs down as they simply are the cheapest place to buy them.  We do use the membership for food as well but primarily for the medications.  I always buy the largest package at the lowest price, therefore when I stock up it is costly.  Why we pay so much more in Canada for OTCs than the USA I don't understand.  It is 2 to 3 times as costly.

We have 5%  goods and services tax and 7 % provincial tax.  Neither is charged on non-convenience food.  Most OTCs we only pay GST and on non-food items and convenience foods (pop, chips etc) we pay both at 12%.  I include tax in my budget since I have to pay it.

Have you ever noticed that food that has zero nutritional value and a ton of sugar and chemicals (but tastes really good) like those on sale cupcakes they place right by the till are dirt cheap to buy?  I only buy fruit and veggies that are within certain dollar limits or on sale.  Sometimes I buy frozen fruit because it is out of season and way cheaper that way, actually even goes on sale like frozen mangos.  I have had a super craving for watermelon but refuse to pay $4.99 for the 20 bite mini ones and $10 for the big ones...it's just not fair.  I have to wait another couple months and then will be in watermelons again.  Yes I treat myself to things but I refuse to pay such ridiculous food prices.  Right now I have frozen mango, blueberries, cranberries and blackberries(free) in the freezer and oranges for fresh fruit.

Our Europe adventure to Italy and France is just three weeks away today - I have the huge urge to pack right now, but that will only stress the dog out (he knows what the suitcase means) so I will hold off.  There are a few final prep details I need to take care of but other than that everyone has passports, suitcases and some cash so I think we are ready!

Anyway, that's what is shaking in my world other than being really busy with work - but we can't complain about that as we are self employed.  Have a great weekend everyone!